October's holidays range from creepy to kooky

The month of ghosts, goblins, witches and warlocks has finally arrived, but did you know October is also the month of custodial workers, emergency nurses, pastors and Sunday school teachers?

Each profession gets 24 hours of glory in October, starting on Oct. 2 with the celebration of National Custodial Workers Day.

Emergency Nurses Day falls on Oct. 10, Clergy Appreciation Day comes on the 14th and National Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day follows a week later on the 21st.

But amongst those more specific observances, there are dozens of general holidays to get everybody celebrating — including animals.

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Raptor Month, Bat Appreciation Month and Squirrel Awareness Month, while Oct. 21 marks Reptile Awareness Day. And it doesn’t stop there.

Pigs, cows, horses, sheep and plenty of other four-legged friends were honored Oct. 2 for World Farm Animals Day.

Even stuffed animals can get in on the action as Oct. 10 marks National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work and School Day.

And don’t forget about all of the attention spiders and black cats get throughout the month. They’re just a couple of the spooky signs that Halloween is near.

Actually, the way times have changed, you probably started seeing those and other eerie decorations in retail stores sometime in August. But it usually isn’t until October that you can acceptably start decorating for Halloween without being severely judged by your less festive friends.

Don’t put too much focus into preparing for the 31st, however, or you’ll miss out on everything else October has to offer. There’s a lot that can be celebrated, even with the simplest of observances.

For example, October is Apple Month. Whether you’re picking them, bobbing for them or baking them into a pie, there are plenty of ways you can recognize the tasty treat. Conveniently, October is also National Caramel Month, so turning those Honeycrisps into candied apples might be your best bet.

Continue your string of sweet celebrations by recognizing Cinnamon Roll Day on Oct. 4, National Chocolate Cupcake Day on the 18th, National Chocolates Day on the 28th and National Candy Corn Day on the 30th.

If you’re looking for something a little less loaded with sugar, don’t worry. Among its many designations, October is Pizza Month, National Popcorn Poppin’ Month and American Cheese Month. This time of year is no doubt Popeye’s favorite as October also holds the title of Spinach Lovers Month.

Despite all of those options, chances are the only thing on your kids’ minds will be Halloween candy. Distract them from pumpkin-shaped peanut butter cups and marshmallow ghosts with a few family activities. Get out the game board on Oct. 9 for National Chess Day and hit the lanes Oct. 13 for National Family Bowling Day.

Get creative on Oct. 27 and come up with a unique way to contribute to your community for Make a Difference Day.

With so many ways to stay entertained, your kids will keep busy right up until it’s time to put on that princess dress or pirate hat Oct. 31.

Tags: lifestyle, social